Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Merry Christmas!


So it's starting to look like I might not get any cards printed this year. It's just the way it has worked (or not worked) out. And instead of getting flustered and annoyed I am close to just letting it go........one less thing I have to sit at the computer to do. So if you get an ecard from me this year (instead of a paper one), try not to judge!
I am also sending you peace and quiet acceptance and presence (so different from presents ;)
And in return you may feel free to send me organization skills and anti-procrastination juju. Send it on over!

Much love...Mrs. Mittens

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Gum Lovers





My kids love gum. Me not so much - gum trouble.
However, they love it so much and Mr. Mittens has taken to bringing it home for them often as a special treat. It's generally the first thing they ask for when he walks in the door.
Now Mr. Mittens is good for gum (mostly the sugar free minty variety) but he has a secret weapon.
The Gum Lady at work. All varieties of fancy special fruity yummy gum from exotic lands (like Mexico!) Apple Pie flavor! Fruity gum shaped like stars! Squirty gum! The kids are in heaven.
So thank you Sam, wonderful Gum Lady. My kids adore you and they haven't even met you :)

p.s. As I write this I have just discovered a chewed piece of gum stuck to my chair and my butt. No joke. And this folks is why mom's don't like gum.

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Sister





Amazing shoot. Amazing sister!

SoSmitten!

Higa Family Fun


More fun over at SoSmitten!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Lilly the Ladybug



When is a costume not just a costume? When you name her Lilly and she gets to sleep in your bed with you and have tea parties. It's awesome being 4.

All Hallows Weekend










We had a fun busy weekend including a Halloween party with great friends (and stayed out way, way too late), Harry Potter movies and popcorn, making paper monsters with ShiShi, jack o' lanterns with daddy (they each selected a face) and generally eating treats and hanging out. I feel like we just eat more and more treats earlier and earlier each year (instead of less)...but that's a topic for another conversation!

The kids picked what they wanted to be this year and I decided we weren't going crazy buying expensive costumes. We have a lot of dress up options already around the house and I love the simple, yet effective approach! I also love how the boys decided to be skeleton twins. They make me laugh.

We've really had a great time reading books and decorating all month long. And I'm about done. Just a little trick or treating and then the Candy Man and it's a wrap. whew!
Happy Spooky Tricky Treaty Halloween!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Halloweenie






There's just something about Halloween that makes me feel good. I don't like horror films or being scared and I don't even care that much about the treats. Something about the darkness and the moodiness makes me happy. And dressing up. Maybe it's just a contrast to the lightness and sunshine. Maybe I'm a closet goth. Ha. Anyway, it's always a good reason to have a little photo shoot. With my darling Drama Queen.

And a few more...SoSmitten!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

True Beauty?




This has been on my mind for a while. As someone who edits a lot of photos I spend a good amount of time looking at faces. And to be honest, altering them. I don't think in a bad way. And I generally really love the faces I spend time with. Even the faces I don't know very well, as they become familiar to me over time.

But I have to be honest here. I can't resist smoothing out a wrinkle here and there, or evening out some unflattering shadows. I try not to really alter the character and integrity of the face, but don't we all want to look like we're well rested and having a really great day???
As I get older, I am also a lot more aware of the images I see in the media. I have more and more appreciation/admiration/envy for those women especially, my age and older with tight skin and firm jawlines.
If I had the resources to apply those million dollar potions and elixers of youth or a fancy dermatologist, I'd be right on it! Of course there are a lot of factors that go into it and I'm not suggesting plastic surgery or anything, but a good night's sleep and eating vegetables will only do so much. Know what I'm sayin'???

Turns out I do have a magic weapon in my possession - PHOTOSHOP! And I'm not afraid to use it. ha!
The other day I posted a photo on FB and I felt a little guilty. Like I should include a disclaimer of sorts. Along the lines of...if you see me at the grocery store and I look more wrinkled and my roots are growing out and I have a zit on my chin, please don't gasp in horror!
On the other hand, if we are judging ourselves based on images we see all around us, shouldn't we have some of the same advantages?

To be fair, none of those folks in magazines or movies look glamorous all the time either. Some of them are still beautiful without the 'make-over', but then aren't we all?
My point is, I guess, that there is a certain reality we all face (pun intended) and there is another reality that is also a matter of lighting and make-up and yes, even Photo Shop. We've all seen those 'shocking' photos of stars without make-up. Just normal faces.
And don't we deserve to feel beautiful and wonderful and glamorous if we want to? Without feeling guilty. ahem...

I've been checking out the work of this amazing Australian photographer, Sue Bryce. Check out the before and after. See what I mean!

I love the idea of transformation. I love the notion of making people look great. Especially women. I think the transformation is powerful. In my images I try to find a 'natural' looking balance. But it would be fun to play around with more 'glamorized' images.

So tell me what you think. Too much? Not real? We all have the potential for glamor? Does it mean anything to you? Would you feel great or fake? Is natural always better? More honest? How much is too much? Or would you go for it?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Indian Summer 2011










These trees and fields are so beautiful every time I pass by them this fall, I couldn't resist a few pics. And yes it took some bribery. And some gum. But so worth it!

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Sweet Georgia


Check out more Sweet Georgia at SoSmitten

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Mansilla Family


I know I've been a terrible blogger lately. Here are some fun new photos! And I have about a million more family photos from the summer just waiting for me to edit them...ahem...
In the meantime, let's be friends again and check these out!

SoSmitten

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Duncan Family


Sweet family. Oh how I love the colors of summer!

SoSmitten

Sneak Peek Sister


Amazing shoot!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Canada Day








We had a great day of celebrating in our neighborhood! We started by decorating bikes and then a big parade with all the kids riding around with the fire engine bringing up the rear. Bouncy castles, balloons, face painting, dancing, food, and a new skate park were all part of the celebrations.
The kids were most excited about the balloon man. They kept going back when their animals would pop in the grass.
My favorite part was the native dancing. The invited everyone to join in at the end for a group dance. It was so fun (with ShiShi and The Babe).

Later that night we all headed back to the park for fireworks. I have to say that I've never been closer to fireworks before! It's pretty exciting. And loud!
It was nice to have so many festivities right in our community. A great celebration. Happy Birthday Canada!

Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch...

Animals and mud. A great time was had by all!
I think cows are funny.
The Bug is a horse whisperer. He has a kinship with animals and bugs. Ha.
It was a special place to spend some time.